CALIFORNIA AVOCADO ASSOCIATION 



87 



We must, in the words of another, "Hew to the line, let the chips fall 

 where they may." 



In the continual climbing upward, under this banner of Excelsior, 

 let not our eyes be dimmed by the near vision of dollars, and prejudice, or 

 we may not reach the summit. 



There will come times when individual members will have to sacrifice 

 personal feelings. The seed of many an enjoyed fruit of years ago, planted, 

 grown and fondly named as one of the family, and many a cherished 

 avocado idea, theory and practice, will prove but footholds and stepping- 

 stones to something higher in the Association's collective climbing, before 

 it "goes over the top." It is already being done; whole jungles of family 

 favorites and entire free lectures on methods have been permanently "camou- 

 flaged," by knowledge gained. Weep not then, tender hearted brother, 

 sister, nor show ruffled feelings when the judges pin not the blue rosette upon 

 that dear domesticated avocado orphan in your home garden. Rather take 

 your part and pleasure in knowing that what you have done is a conscien- 

 tious workmen's contribution to the building of the grandly looming avo- 

 cado industry, — a stone in its foundations, a brick in its walls. Rejoice, 

 even though you be not the chosen Steeple-Jack to climb £ind plant the 

 flag upon its lofty pinnacle. 



My disappointed friend, if you still exist, I speak somewhat in sym- 

 pathy; for if you will come with me to the foothills of Monrovia, I will 

 show you a four-year-old avocado orchard, wherein, among fifty-seven 

 varieties, the planter thereof had fondly hoped to find the "dark horse," but 

 which, during the past year, has been largely mowed down to stumps, for 

 the sole purpose of building thereon, something far better, we hope. 



This arch word, improvement, gives "Hiis Association" the "right 

 of eminent domain" upon the avocado industry and its reputation. To 

 emphasize this thought, I beg to quote, and conunend to you, a passage 

 from a special report prepared by Mr. Barber, on behalf of the board of 

 directors, in presenting its formal findings in regard to the eight varieties of 

 avocados recommended, which says: "As an association we are morally 

 responsible to the many investors joining the industry, year by year. By 

 our mere existence we invite the investment of their funds in the production 

 of avocados, and they rightly expect our assistance. It becoms our duty 

 to protect them from irresponsible people selling varieties which we know 

 to be unworthy of commercial planting." 



Adherence to our principles was what evolved the list of eight varie-- 

 ties, the selection of which has, as far as we are now able, made the present, 

 easy, and the future, free from regrets. It has been as a life line thrown 

 to the buyer who has been sinking, almost out of sight, in a whirlpool of 

 despair. It is a towline to the harassed nurseryman who has been rowing, 

 upstream, on the River of Doubt. 



Fellow workers, practically speaking, our present concern has to do 

 with the culture; (be careful not to spell it with a "K") ; that of the pro- 

 duction and marketing is safely a matter of the future, — and we're not 

 there yet. Let us first take good care of the culture, «ind the product and 

 selling, and perhaps profits, will be taken care of by, — the middleman. 



Loyalty to our principles has, also, gained for us powerful allies: the 

 University of California, and the United States Department of Agriculture. 

 We have now many "friends at court." Both of these great institutions of 



